Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College’s victory in the male category of the competition at the conference finals has equally earned them the national finals ticket to come up in Lagos.

Similarly, Government Secondary School, Numan, defeated Government Girls College, Doma, Gombe, 28-18 to clinch the first place trophy in the girls’ category and also a qualification to the national finals.

The Sahara conference finals which dunked off on May 3 and ended on May 8, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

The final male match played was keenly contested and saw both teams working hard to outplay one another but eventually the Bauchi team’s stability and determination gave them the day.

The Bauchi team also would have the home support to thank for their victory going by how they supported them by chanting victory songs and applauding their ball play.

Ahmadu Abba, the Head Coach of the Bauchi team, told the News Agency of Nigeria that he was proud of the team’s achievement and that his team was the better side.

“We worked hard throughout the game and never stopped doubting our ability to win the match.

“We will continue to build on this and hopefully be better prepared for the national conference finals coming up in Lagos,’’ Abba said.

Adamu Mohammed, the State Coordinator, expressed happiness over the successful hosting of the competition, thanking Nestle Nigeria for backing Bauchi to host the conference finals.

“I am happy and forever grateful towards the role Nestle Nigeria Plc in continuing to support the developments of our youths through basketball.

`It feels good to win the boys category, indeed it is an enterprising performance, we thank God for the trust Nestle Milo has on us to host a successful championships.

“Our team will go back to the training board and be better prepared as we also we get set to back them to do well in the national finals,” he said.

In the third place match for boys, Ahamadiyya College Kano beat Government Science and Technical College, Bukuru, 35-20, while Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba beat Government Girls College Bauchi, 11-6 to claim the third place prizea.

The winners in the conference for boys and girls proceed to the national finals and were awarded N100,000 cash for the developments of sports in their schools.

They also received branded basketball, certificates and their championship trophy for their efforts.

In the boys’ category, Ibrahim Bello from Bauchi won the Most Valuable Player Award, while Linda John from Adamawa won the Most Valuable Player from the girls’ category.

No fewer than 44 matches were played in all with 20 schools from 10 states participating in the competition which includes Teams from Bornu with Government College, Maiduguri and Government Girls Secondary School.

Bauchi the host city which had the eventual boys’ champions, Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Bauchi and Government Girls College, Bauchi.

Gombe had Pen Resource Academy, Gombe and Government Girls College, Doma, while Jigawa had representatives from Government Unity School Secondary School, Ringin and Government Girls Unity Secondary School, Malam Madori.

“In these unprecedented times when our communities need us more than ever, it is important for us at Nestlé, to do everything we can to support the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 while mitigating its impact.

“It is our hope that the PPEs will help enhance the safety of medical personnel on the field.

“ As we continue to support and work together with all stakeholders including the medical personnel who are on the frontlines of the fight, we are confident that we can defeat this common enemy, together,” Alarcon said.

Speaking in commemoration of Children’s Day, Nestlé Nigeria Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos: “I am delighted to wish all children a very Happy Children’s Day!

“We recognise that to ensure a healthier future, children need the right nourishment and an active lifestyle.

“At Nestlé Nigeria, we remain committed to helping children imbibe healthy habits early while enabling their parents and caregivers with nutritious food products and the right information to make healthier nutrition choices.

“In the past three years, our company has launched unique products specifically adapted to the needs of children, including CERELAC Junior, GOLDENMORN Maize and Soya, as well as MILO Ready to Drink.

“These products are fortified with micronutrients to meet the needs of pre-school and school age children.”

“Recognising the need for multi-sector interventions to address the challenges facing the Nigerian child, Nestlé Nigeria has been at the forefront of efforts to help Nigerian children live healthier and happier lives.

“This has been achieved through research, product innovation, food fortification, nutrition education and promotion of an active lifestyle in line with the company’s global ambition to help 50 million children globally, lead healthier lives by 2030.

Uwadoka said the ambition would be supported by its global flagship programme, Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) and would federate all of Nestlé’s efforts to support parents and caregivers on their journey to raise healthier kids.

She added that the company reached over 1.5 million children each year through the N4HK school-based programme and Milo School Sports Development Programme.

“In Nigeria, Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) which is run in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, Universal Basic Education Board, Ogun State, FCT Universal Basic Education Board and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, currently reaches 17,000 children every year.

“N4HK also incorporates a school-based nutrition education programme, which seeks to teach children about nutrition from an early age to enable them to make better nutrition decisions and form healthier nutrition habits.

“To help children imbibe healthy habits including good nutrition, active lifestyles through adequate physical activity, good hygiene practices, and healthy hydration, over 200 teachers have been trained in Ogun and the FCT.

“The training was done in collaboration with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and the Universal Basic Education Boards.

“Nestlé Nigeria Plc also invested in enhancing the teaching and learning environment by renovating school facilities as well as by donating relevant education aid materials,’’ she said.

Receiving materials for the N4HK schools in Ogun on behalf of the Ogun SUBEB earlier in the academic year, the board’s Secretary, Mr Olalekan Kuye said: “Children are the future of Ogun, so investing in them is investing in the future.

“I commend Nestlé Nigeria for the consistent work they are doing through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids Initiative.”

In March 2020, Nestlé for Healthier Kids hosted a Nutrition Quiz and Essay competition for all 20 N4HK benefitting schools in Ogun to enhance recall and retention of the lessons learnt.

The Nutrition Quiz is a core part of the N4HK school-based programme. They were quizzed on topics curated by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) from the N4HK students’ manual covering nutrition, healthy hydration, hygiene and physical activities.

Wesley School 1 Sagamu emerged as the champions of the contest, winning educational and sports materials for the contestants as well as for their school.

Recall and retention is also enhanced through cooking demonstrations and sport activities in the participating schools.

It will be recalled that Nestlé had renovated school facilities including classrooms, libraries, offices, crèches, boreholes, toilets and playgrounds in some of the N4HK benefitting schools.

NAN reports that the 30 participating schools received posters, interactive boards, manuals as well as water bottles, stationery and camp gases for cooking demonstrations.

NAN recalls that Nestlé Nigeria Plc began simple trading operations in Nigeria in 1961 and has grown into a leading food manufacturing and marketing company.

He added that the food and beverages would support individuals and families most impacted by the containment measures put in place by the state government to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

According to him, the donation is part of the company’s contribution of over N700 million, comprising products and cash donations toward the national response efforts being led by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“Nestle Nigeria is committed to the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians who rely on our products to help feed their families every day.

“We will continue to play our role of ensuring uninterrupted availability of food and beverage products which are critical for the sustenance and well-being of millions of Nigerian families,” he added.

Mr Basharu Muhammad, Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, who received the items on behalf of the government, commended Nestlé Nigeria for the support.

Muhammad said that the gesture would significantly strengthen state government’s efforts towards cushioning the impact of COVID-19 on the residents of the state.

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has donated food and beverages worth N32 million as palliatives to Kano State Government to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on residents.

The Public Affairs Manager of the company, Victoria Uwadoka, who made the disclosure in a statement in Kano on Sunday, said that the palliatives were part of measures to mitigate the impact of the lockdown on residents.

Uwadoka said that the donation was part of the company’s contribution of over N700 million, comprising products and cash donations, toward the national response efforts led, by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“The food and beverages donated by Nestlé will support individuals and families most impacted by the containment measures put in place by the state government to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“Nestlé will continue to play its essential role of ensuring the uninterrupted availability of food and beverage products, which are critical for the sustenance and well-being of millions of Nigerian families,” Uwadoka said.

Alhaji Ahmadu Zago, Special Adviser to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on Food Security, received the items on behalf of chairman of the fund raising committee, Prof. Muhammad Bello.

Zago, who is also member of the committee, commended Nestlé Nigeria for supporting the government’s efforts toward cushioning the impact of COVID-19 in the state.

Nestlé Nigeria Plc donates N700 million toward COVID-19 response

As more corporate organisations and individuals continue to donate toward boosting the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Nestle Nigeria Plc has contributed items and cash worth N700 million to support the cause.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the donation includes nutritious food and beverage products worth N450 million expected to reach about 600,000 vulnerable people hit by the crisis.

Mr Mauricio Alarcon, the outfit’s Managing Director, in a statement in Lagos, disclosed that the company also donated N250 million cash for the procurement of medical supplies and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) being used by medics.

“Nestlé is supporting the COVID-19 response efforts led by the Presidential Taskforce, working alongside other private sector partners in the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

“We are joining forces with government to do everything we can to help those in need through both financial means and product donations in these unprecedented times where our communities need our support more than ever.

“We are donating nutritious food and beverages to reach more than 600,000 vulnerable families who are the most impacted by the crisis.

“We are also making a financial donation toward the procurement of medical supplies, including Personal Protection Equipment, to enhance the health and safety of the medical teams and volunteers on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic.”

He said that Nestlé Nigeria would, in line with its purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future, continue to play its essential role of ensuring the uninterrupted availability of food and beverage products.

“Such products are critical for the sustenance and well-being of millions of Nigerian families who rely on the company to help feed their families every day,” he said.

NAN reports that Nestlé Nigeria Plc began simple trading operations in Nigeria in 1961 and has since grown into a leading food manufacturing and marketing company.

The firm is reputed to be the biggest food company in West Africa with 2,300 workers serving in its three world-class factories.

In addition to N 25 per share interim dividend already paid, the Board proposed an additional dividend of N 45 per share, making for a total dividend of N 70 for 2019, a statement from the company said on Tuesday.

According to Mauricio Alarcon, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, the proposed dividend will be submitted for approval at the company’s Annual General Meeting on June 2, 2020.

“Our high-performing team adapted quickly to changing consumer expectations by adopting new ways of delighting our consumers in the market place,” Alarcon said.

According to him, the company enhanced its portfolio with new products, including MAGGI Signature seasoning mixes adapted to consumer tastes and cuisine across the country.

“CERELAC Junior fortified with iron was also launched to help meet the nutrition needs of pre-school children,’’ he said.

On the 2020 outlook, Alarcon said that Nestle Nigeria Plc would continue to focus on the innovation and the renovation of products and on rolling out new solutions and services in response to changing consumer needs.

“This will prepare us for the challenges ahead, while we partner with key stakeholders for the growth of the local economy.

“With society looking more to business to improve social amenities, Nestlé Nigeria will continue to invest in creating shared value by improving livelihoods in the communities closest to our business operations.

“This is in line with our purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

“We will also drive new initiatives to empower our people to deliver outstanding results for themselves, for the organisation and for society,’’ the Nestle Nigeria Plc’s CEO said.

It stated that Ehimuan started her career in 1995 and had worked for several companies in Nigeria and abroad.

“She started a firm called Strategic Insight Consulting Limited and later became the General Manager of Chams Plc’s Strategic Business Units.

”In April 2011, Ehimuan was appointed Google’s Country Manager for Nigeria.

”She holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University; a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and an MBA from London Business School,”it said.

The notice added that Ehimuan’s contributions to technology and entrepreneurship won her several awards and recognitions.

“She is a recipient of the London Business Scool Global Women’s Scholarship- Selwyn College Scholar and Malaysian Commonwealth Scholar.

“She won the “IT Personality of the Year” award by the Nigerian Computer Society in 2012 and Marketing World Awards in 2016,” it stated.